Switch assembly having a mechanically actuated override

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for enabling reverse mow condition in a tractor comprises a switch assembly having an ignition switch that is rotatable through a plurality of positions, a housing for supporting the ignition switch, and an actuator movably located in the housing. The enabling of a reverse mow condition is achieved by displacing the actuator from a rest position to two separate and distinct positions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to a switch assembly and, inparticular, the present disclosure concerns a switch assembly designedto prevent an operator of a riding mower to mow in the reverse directionunless an override associated with the switch assembly is intentionallyengaged.

BACKGROUND

Interlock circuits have been developed for lawn and garden tractors andsimilar vehicles that prevent these vehicles from being operated in anunsafe way. These interlock circuits typically include switches that arepositioned to monitor various components of the lawn and garden tractor.Examples of components that may be monitored with switches include theseat, the clutch, the brake, the power take off, and the transmission.Switches used in interlock circuits typically include an elongatedactuator that is linearly movable from a normal position to an actuatedposition. The states of the switches in the interlock circuit eitherindicate a safe condition or a potentially unsafe condition. If thestates of the switches indicate a safe condition, the vehicle is allowedto continue to operate. If the states of the switches indicate an unsafecondition, the interlock circuit prevents continued operation of thevehicle or limits operation of one or more components of the vehicle.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a switch assembly enabling reverse mowcondition in a tractor comprising a switch assembly having an ignitionswitch that can be rotated through a plurality of positions, a housingfor supporting the ignition switch, and an actuator movably located inthe housing. The enabling of a reverse mow condition is achieved bydisplacing the actuator from a rest position to two separate anddistinct positions.

The present disclosure further relates to a switch assembly comprising adial that is rotated in unison with an ignition switch through aplurality of positions, a housing for supporting the ignition switch,and an actuator moveable with respect to the housing. The reverse mowcondition is achieved when the actuator is translated from anon-enabling position to an enabling position then rotating the dialfrom a non-enabling orientation to an enabling orientation.

The present disclosure also relates to a method for enabling a reversemow condition in a tractor through a switch assembly comprising thesteps of translating an actuator from a non-enabling position to anenabling position such that the actuator is substantially aligned with aswitch for enabling a reverse mow condition. The method furthercomprises rotating the actuator from a non-enabling orientation to anenabling orientation such that the actuator engages the switch, therebyallowing a reverse mow condition.

The present disclosure yet further relates to a method of using a switchassembly for enabling a reverse mow condition in a tractor during orprior to moving in a reverse direction comprising the steps oftranslating an actuator from a non-enabling position to an enablingposition such that the actuator is substantially aligned with a switchfor enabling a reverse mow condition. The method further comprises thestep of rotating the actuator from a non-enabling orientation to anenabling orientation while the actuator remains in the enabling positionsuch that the actuator engages the switch, thereby allowing a reversemow condition.

The present disclosure also yet further relates to a switch assembly forenabling a reverse mow condition for a tractor during or prior to movingin a reverse direction comprising a dial that is rotated in unison withan ignition switch through a plurality of positions, a housing forsupporting the ignition switch, and an actuator moveable with respect tothe dial. The actuator includes first and second ends. The switchassembly further comprises a plunger switch having a plunger that whendepressed enables the tractor for a reverse mow condition and aninclined surface located at the first end of the actuator that graduatesto an abutment on a side of the actuator opposite the inclined surfaceside on the first end. A reverse mow condition is enabled when theactuator is translated from non-enabling position to an enablingposition and then rotating the dial from a non-enabling orientation toan enabling orientation.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the exemplaryembodiments are described in detail in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the presentinvention relates upon consideration of the following description of theinvention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a lawn and garden tractor;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a switch assembly secured to a lawntractor panel, the switch assembly being constructed in accordance withone exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded assembly view of the switch assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an inverted perspective view of the switch assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the switch assembly in an off first position;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the switch assembly in a no reverse mow runsecond position;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the switch assembly in a reverse mow run secondposition;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the switch assembly in a third positiondepicting the first step of an override sequence illustrating anactuator located in an advanced position;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the switch assembly in a no reverse mow runthird position;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the switch assembly in a start forth position;

FIG. 11 is a partial assembly view of the switch assembly including anactuator located in a reverse mow run position of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a partial assembly view of the switch assembly including anactuator located in a no reverse mow run position of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13A is an isometric view of a working end of an actuator engaging aplunger during rotation of a dial from the position shown in FIG. 8 tothe position shown in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 13B is a second isometric view of the working end of the actuatorengaging the plunger of FIG. 13A during rotation of the dial from theposition shown in FIG. 8 to the position shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure concerns an electro-mechanical ignition switchassembly 10 that is adapted to a lawn and garden tractor 12 or similarvehicle as illustrated in FIG. 1. The garden tractor 12 through theswitch assembly 10 enables a blade 14 to rotate for cutting grass,foliage, and the like (a “mowing condition”) in a forward direction asindicated by arrow “F” in FIG. 1. The garden tractor 12 through theswitch assembly 10 also enables the blade 14 to rotate for cuttinggrass, foliage, and the like (the mowing condition) in a reversedirection indicated by arrow “R” in FIG. 1. The enablement of the mowingcondition whether in the forward or reverse direction is controlled byoperation and design of the switch assembly 10. More specifically and aswill be described below, the switch assembly 10 precludes a mowingcondition in the reverse direction unless an override 100 in the switchassembly is intentionally engaged. The switch assembly 10 is shown asbeing mounted in a dash portion 16 of the tractor 12, but could belocated anywhere on the tractor without departing from the spirit andscope of the claimed invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the switch assembly 10constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The switch assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 2 as being attachedthrough the dash portion 16. The switch assembly 10 includes a housing18, a receptacle 20 for connecting electronics remotely located from theswitch assembly 10, via ribbon cables or wiring harnesses (not shown).The switch assembly 10 further includes a plate 22 located just aboveand in contact with the dash portion 16. Located on a side of the dashportion 16 on top of the plate 22 is a retaining ring 24 for securing adial 26 to the plate 22, which is integrally molded to the housing 18.Partially located within the dial 26 is an actuator 28. A key 30 isshown as being inserted into a key receiving housing 32 projecting fromthe surface of the dial 26.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded assembly view of the switch assembly 10.Further included in the switch assembly 10, as best seen in FIG. 3 is afour (4) position ignition switch 34 and a plunger switch 36. Theplunger switch includes first and second ends 38 and 40, respectively.The receptacle 20 is connected to the first end 38 of the plunger switch36 and provides several connectors 20 a-20 d for attaching to a wiringharness (not shown) as best seen in FIG. 4, which is a bottom view ofthe switch assembly 10. FIG. 4 illustrates the attachment of theignition 34 and plunger switch 36 to the switch assembly 10. The plungerswitch 36 and ignition switch 34 provide a snap connection with thehousing 18 for ease of assembly, but could be any type of connectionwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Aplunger 42 is moveably located and extending from the second end 40 ofthe plunger switch 36.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the ignition switch 34 includes first andsecond ends 44, 46 respectively, and extending from the second end 46 isa threaded projection 48. As an alternative embodiment, the threadedprojection 48 is used to attach the ignition switch 34 to the housing18. The threaded projection 48 passes through aperture 52 located in thehousing 18 plate 22. The threaded projection 48 extends beyond the plate22 into a through slot 54 of the actuator 28, which may use theprojection 48 as a guide during movement of the actuator. The threadedprojection 48 includes a key opening 56 for receiving the key 30 as itis inserted through a key slot 58 extending from the key projectionhousing 32 of the dial 26.

The housing 18 plate 22 includes a connecting port 60 for securing acorresponding hook 62 that is located about the perimeter of theretaining ring 24 for securing the ring to the plate 22, with the panel16, dial 26, and actuator 28 positioned therebetween. Screws 63 furthersecure the ring 24 to the plate 22 by passing through openings 65 intotwo bosses 67 located about the perimeter of the retaining ring. Theactuator 28 comprises a main body 64 having an engagement projection 66extending from the top of the main body. A flange portion 68 projectsabout a side of the main body 64 and includes a status identifier 70,being for example some indicia or color located on the surface of theflange portion. The dial 26 further includes first and second openings72, 74 corresponding to the engagement projection 66 and statusidentifier 70 that will be discussed further below. A spring 76 ispositioned between the dial 26 and actuator 28 for biasing the actuatorin a disengaged direction. The housing 18 plate 22 further includes asecond aperture 78 for receiving the plunger 42 of the plunger switch 36upon assembly. Parametrically positioned about the side of the housing18 is a plurality of locking tabs 80 for securing the housing in amating structure of the tractor 12 (not shown).

FIGS. 5-10 illustrate positions 1-4 of the ignition switch 34 anddisengaged “A” and engaged “B” positions of the override 100 viaactuator 28 as oriented from a plan view of the switch assembly 10. Withrespect to each figure, FIG. 5 illustrates position 1 of the ignitionswitch 34, (also referred to as an off position) in which tractor 12 andblade 14 are inoperable. The dial 26 is linked to the four positionignition switch 34 via key 30, which together rotate through thepositions described below. During operation, the dial/key 26, 30 arerotated from position 1 through positions 2, 3 to a spring-returnedposition 4 (start position) shown in FIG. 10, which starts the engine ofthe tractor 12. The dial/key 26, 30 are then spring returned to position3 (run position) as illustrated in FIG. 9. When the dial/key 26, 30 arein the run position 3, an operator of the tractor 12 can drive thetractor forward F, and in reverse R directions, but only obtains a mowcondition (rotation of the blade 14) when moving in the forwarddirection F. Similarly, a run position 2 of the dial/key 26, 30 existsas illustrated in FIG. 6 allowing the operator of the tractor 12 todrive the tractor forward F, and in reverse R directions, but onlyobtains a mow condition (rotation of the blade 14) when moving in theforward direction F. Should the operator leave the seat of the tractor12 or attempt to mow in reverse while the dial/key 26, 30, are in therun positions 2, 3 of FIGS. 6 and 9, the tractor engine will stall. Theoperator at anytime can rotate the dial/key 26, 30 back through position2 to position 1 to turn-off the engine of the tractor 12.

The override 100 is an assembly comprising the actuator 28, dial 26,housing plate 22, ignition switch 34, and plunger switch 36. Theoverride 100 is engaged when it is desirable for the operator to enablea mow condition while the tractor is moving in a reverse direction R andrequires two deliberate sequential actions by the operator in order toenable the mow condition in reverse. The initiation of the override 100sequence must be started when the dial/key, 26, 30 is in the runposition 3 of FIG. 9. The first action of the override 100 sequence isachieved by the operator's application of pressure to the projection 66of the actuator 28, translating the actuator from position A of FIG. 9to position B of FIG. 8. The translation of the projection 66 in thefirst action of the override 100 sequence is against a biased disengageposition A attained by the spring 76. The second action of the override100 sequence includes the rotation of the dial/key 26, 30 from runposition 3 of FIG. 8 to the reverse mow enabling position 2 of FIG. 7while maintaining the projection 66 of actuator 28 in the advanced Bposition. Once in the reverse mow enabling position 2 of FIG. 7, theactuator 28 is locked in the engaged reverse mow condition, enabling therotation of the blade 14 while the tractor moves in the reversedirection R. The locking of the actuator 28 illustrated in FIG. 7 isachieved by a plurality of bosses 82 that extend from the housing plate22, as best seen in FIG. 11, which is a partial assembly view depictingthe actuator 28 in the reverse mow enabling position 2 of FIG. 7. Theactuator 28 remains locked until the dial/key 26, 30 is rotated topositions 1, 3, or 4. When the actuator 28 is in position A and thedial/key 26, 30 are in position 2 shown in FIG. 6, the actuator includesa slot 84 for avoiding bosses 82 while in position 2 of FIG. 6 andduring rotation, and further prevents the advancement of the actuatorwhen located in position 2 of FIG. 6.

Upon translation of the projection 66 of the actuator 28 to position B,the status identifier 70 changes from a non-engaged visual identifier 90(FIG. 9) to an engaged visual identifier 92 (FIGS. 7-8). As illustratedin the exploded assembly of FIG. 3, the non-engaged 90 and engaged 92visual identifiers are on the surface of the flange 68 of the actuator28 such that advancement of the projection 66 reflects a change fromnon-engaged 90 to engaged 92 in the identifier 70, as seen through anopening 74 of the dial 26. Further, the translation of the actuator 28projection 66 to position B results in the displacement of the plungerswitch 36 plunger 42 from the non-engaged run position 3 of FIG. 9illustrated as position A in the partial assembly view of FIG. 12 to theengaged reverse mow enabling position 2 of FIG. 7 illustrated asposition B in FIG. 11. The displacement of the plunger 42 provideselectrical signals in the plunger switch 36, engaging the blade 14 andcreating a mow condition in reverse through electrical connection 20a-20 d via a wiring harness (not shown) connected to the receptacle 20.

The construction of the switch assembly 10 allows only for thedisplacement of the plunger 42 when the dial/key 26, 30 is rotated fromthe run position 3 of FIG. 8 to the reverse mow enabling position 2 ofFIG. 7. This condition is achieved as a result of an incline 94 locatedin a working end 96 of the actuator 28 as illustrated in FIGS. 13A and13B. As the dial/key 26, 30 is rotated from the run position 3 of FIG. 8to the reverse mow enabling position 2 of FIG. 7, the incline 94 engagesthe plunger 42, depressing it from position A to position B asillustrated in FIGS. 12, 11, respectively. Opposite the incline 94 onthe working end 96 of the actuator 28 is an abutment 98 that preventsthe depression of the plunger 42 and advancement of the projection 66 ofthe actuator 28 should an attempt to engage the reverse mow enablingcondition when rotating the dial/key 26, 30 from position 1 to position2. Stated another way, advancing the actuator 28 in position 1 isprecluded from rotation to the reverse mow enabling position 2 as aresult of the abutment's 98 interference with the plunger 42. The designof the override 100 automatically disengages whenever the operatorrotates the dial/key 26, 30 to any position from the reverse mowenabling position 2 illustrated in FIG. 7, including rotating the dial26 to the off position 1 or start position 4.

During operation, should the operator rotate the dial 26 from thereverse mow enabling position 2 of FIG. 7 to position 1 or position 3,the plunger 42 extends outwardly from position B to position A of FIGS.11, 12 disabling the reverse mow condition. Further, the reverse mowcondition or forward mow condition becomes disabled if the operatorwould leave the seat of the tractor 12 independent of the dial/key 26,30 position. Alternatively, the engine will turn-off if the operatorwould leave the seat of the tractor 12.

Such improvements, changes in positioning, and modifications within theskill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.Further, the invention as a whole has been described with a certaindegree of particularity, it should be understood that various changescan be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeof the invention hereinafter claimed.

1. A switch assembly comprising: an ignition switch rotatable through aplurality of positions; a housing for supporting said ignition switch;an actuator movably located in said housing for enabling a reverse mowcondition by displacing the actuator from a rest position to twoseparate and distinct positions; and an inclined surface on an end ofsaid actuator for engaging a plunger while in said enabling position andwhile being rotated from said non-enabling orientation to said enablingorientation such that the plunger becomes engaged.
 2. The switchassembly of claim 1 further comprising an abutment opposite saidinclined surface on the end of the actuator wherein said abutmentprecludes rotation of said dial in a direction of the abutment when theactuator is in the enabling position.
 3. A switch assembly for enablinga reverse mow condition for a tractor during or prior to moving in areverse direction comprising: a dial that is rotated in unison with anignition switch through a plurality of positions; a housing forsupporting said ignition switch; an actuator moveable with respect tosaid dial, the actuator having first and second ends; a plunger switchhaving a plunger that when depressed enables the tractor for a reversemow condition; an inclined surface located at said first end of saidactuator that graduates to an abutment on a side of the actuatoropposite the inclined surface side on the first end; wherein a reversemow condition is sequentially enabled when said actuator is translatedfrom a non-enabling position to an enabling position and said dial isrotated from a non-enabling orientation to an enabling orientation. 4.The switch assembly of claim 3 further comprising a locking mechanismfor maintaining said actuator in the enabling position while located inthe enabling orientation.
 5. The switch assembly of claim 4 wherein saidlocking mechanism includes a plurality of bosses that contact saidactuator when in the enabling position while located in the enablingorientation.
 6. The switch assembly of claim 3 wherein rotation of thedial in any direction away from the enabling orientation results intermination of the reverse mowing condition.
 7. The switch assembly ofclaim 3 wherein rotation of the dial in any direction away from theenabling orientation while in the enabling position and mowing inreverse results in the termination of the mower engine.
 8. The mowswitch assembly of claim 3 wherein said reverse mow condition is enabledwhen said actuator is translated from non-enabling position to anenabling position followed by continuous and sequential rotating of saiddial from a non-enabling orientation to a enabling orientation.
 9. Aswitch assembly comprising: i. a plunger switch for opening and closingan electric circuit; ii. an ignition switch for opening and closingstart and stop electrical circuits for a gasoline powered engine; iii. ahousing for supporting said ignition switch and said plunger switch; iv.a dial that rotates in unison with said ignition switch through aplurality of positions; and v. an actuator movably located between saidhousing and said dial used for engaging said plunger switch wherein saidplunger switch is actuated by said actuator when said actuator istranslated to an enabling position and dial is rotated from anon-enabling orientation to an enabling orientation.
 10. A switchassembly for enabling a forward and reverse mow condition in a lawntractor, the switch assembly comprising: an ignition switch adapted forreceiving a key, the ignition switch rotatable through a plurality ofpositions; a housing for supporting said ignition switch; a dialrotatably connected to said housing by a retaining ring; a reverse mowenabling switch having a movably located plunger such that when saidplunger is actuated from a first position to a second position operationof a mowing condition is enabled when a lawn tractor is operated in areverse direction; an actuator movably located between said dial andsaid housing for actuating said plunger when in an advanced position,said actuator comprising a working end with an inclined surface foractuating said plunger from said first position to said second position;and a boss extending from said housing adapted to selectively lock saidactuator from moving into said advanced position.
 11. The switchassembly of claim 10 further comprising an aperture located in saidactuator for selectively receiving said boss.
 12. The switch assembly ofclaim 10 further comprising an abutment located on said working endopposite said inclined surface that prevents said plunger from actuatingfrom said first position to said second position when said actuator isin said advanced position.
 13. The switch assembly of claim 10 whereinsaid actuator further comprises a flange portion comprising a statusidentifier that moves when said actuator is moved from a retractedposition to said advanced position.
 14. The switch assembly of claim 13wherein said dial comprises an opening for viewing said statusidentifier.
 15. The switch assembly of claim 14 further comprising abiasing member positioned between said dial and actuator, said biasingmember influencing said actuator to said retracted position.